Vibrator



A. T. MOORE Aug. 31, 1965 VIBRATOR Filed D60. 26, 1962 INVENTOR m w o m M m T T W A T United States Patent 3,203,415 VEBRATCR Austin T. Moore, 3433 Saiuda St, Columbia, SC. Filed Dec. 2a, was, Ser. No. 247,132 3 Claims. (Cl. 128--33) This invention relates to a vibrating instrument espe cially useful in the treatment of low back ailments.

Formerly, vibrators used in doctors ofiices and in private and institutional use were of the table type which required the user to recline thereon. Vibrators constructed in accordance with the present invention can be used in doctors ofiices, hospitals, institutes of physical therapy, and most important can be used by the patient himself in his home. Means are provided to make such vibrators adjustable to any size patient and they may be used by patients who are severely debilitated or even confined to bed. Full benefit of the vibrators may be obtained while a patient is lying in bed, the accompanying exercises being taken to the extent of the individuals tolerance. In this way even severe cardiac patients may be benefited as the vibrations and the exercises may be discontinued at any moment while the patient remains in a most relaxing recliningposition. This is very important in that it assures very prompt recovery from even the slightest fatigue.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide a vibrator which may be used by a patient while lying in bed so that treatment may be administered while the patient is in a position of maximum relaxation.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an improved vibrator which is adjustable to be used by a patient in a variety of positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vibrator for treatment of low back ailments when the patient is in a natural sitting position thereon.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a vibrator having a suspended platform to which the vibrations are applied directly and means for dampening the vibrations imparted by the platform to a support therefor.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and where- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vibrator constructed in accordance with the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional elevation illustrating the device shown in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation illustrating the use of the invention with the patient in a sitting position,

FIGURE 4 illustrates the use of the invention with the patient lying chest down upon the device, and

FIGURE 5 illustrates the use of a vibrator constructed in accordance with the invention with the patient in supine position.

The drawing illustrates a portable vibrator having a substantially square inclined upholstered element A which has upper and lower spaced superposed rigid platform members B and C. The upholstered element also has a plurality of spaced buffers D constructed of hard resilient material which are carried between the platform members B and C. A vibrator motor E depends from an intermediate portion of the upper platform member B through an opening in the lower platform member C for accommodating the motor which projects below the lower platform member C. A first pair of elongated tubular members F has one of the members fixed adjacent each of the corners of the first platform. A second pair of elongated tubular members G is shorter than the first pair of the elongated members and one of said second pair is fixed adjacent each of the back corners of the lower platform C. A pair of substantially U- shaped tubular members H bridge one of the first pair of members with the second member adjacent thereto. Each of the legs of the U-shaped members H are telescopically mounted with respect to the adjacent vertical member. The bight of each U-shaped member is substantially fiat. An inclined rearwardly U-shaped member I is telescopically carried by the upholstered element A.

The upholstered element A includes a cushion Ilti which provides a comfortable pad beneath the covering 11, which is preferably constructed of a leather-like material. The cushion ill rests upon the plywood upper panel B. The plywood panel B is preferably substantially square and rubber buffers D are positioned adjacent its corners to transmit vibrations without damaging eifects to the lower platform C which is also preferably constructed of plywood. The hard rubber buffers D are positioned by a pin 12 which has a lower threaded portion 12:: for providing a fixed connection with the lower platform C. i The upper portion of the pin 12 is unthreaded as at 12!) and has a loose fit with the rubber buffer D and the upper platform B. The upper platform is limited in its upper vibratory movement by the cover ill which is secured as by nails 13 to the lower platform C.

The vibrator motor E is carried by a depending bracket 14 which is fixed as by the bolts 15 to the lower portion of the upper platform B. The motor E projects downwardly through an aperture 16 within the lower platform C. The motor is provided with suitable control means in the form of switch means 17 for turning the motor on and off and adjusting the speed thereof and the like. The vibratory force of the motor E is transmitted directly to the upper platform B so as to exert a maximum vibratory effect upon the patient. A minimum of vibratory force is passed downwardly through the supporting structure for the platform so as to not impart an excessive vibratory force to the bed or other support for the vibrator.

Suitable support means are provided for the upholstered element A including a first pair of elongated tubular legs F. It will be noted that the tubular members F are carried adjacent the front of the lower platform C. The legs F are a part of a generally U-shaped member, the bight 18 of which is fastened by the bolts 1% to the lower platform C. The back legs G are also in the form of legs of a U-shaped portion, the bight 2d of which is secured as by bolts 2-1 to the lower platform C.

It will be noted that the upwardly extending legs of a U-shaped portion H are telescopically carried between adjacent members F and G. A spring loaded plunger 22 is carried by each of the legs F and G and is adapted to project selectively into the spaced apertures 23 carried by the members F and G for the purpose of adjustably (it positioning the legs F and G with respect to the upwardly extending legs of the U-shaped member H. The U- shaped member H is bridged adjacent the legs F by a transverse tubular member 24 which has a cover of cushioning material 25.

The adjustable extension 1 extends rearwardly so as to prevent overturning of the device When in use such as illustrated in FIGURE 3. The U-shaped member I inclines rearwardly and is telescopically carried by a pair of tubular supports 26 which are suitably fastened to the lower platform member C as by bolts 27. A spring biased plunger 28 is carried by each of the members 26 and is adapted to be adjustably positioned in the apertures 29 carried by the members 26.

A cushioned headrest 30 is carried by the U-shaped member 31 which has inwardly extending legs which pass through the cover ill of the cushioned element A. These legs are adjustably positioned by fastening means 32 which confine the legs 31 adjacent the platform C. Wing nuts 33 are carried by the threaded lower portion thereof to release the fastening means 32 adjustably positioning the headrest St) for the convenience of the patient.

Referring to the drawing, it will be noted that there are three different positions in which such a vibrator may be used. First (FIGURE 3), it can be used as a stool about the home or ofifice. The machine must be adjusted to each individual as to leg length so as to assure the proper sitting position on the floor or in the bed. When sitting, the body is not only supported by the buttocks, but by the entire length of the thighs to the knees, and due to the proper adjustment for leg length and the forward elevation of the seat, the spine is held in the flexed position. Vibrations, while in this position, are very helpful in relieving pain.

In position two (FIGURE 4), the patient places himself prone across the cushioned element A so that the pelvis is supported with the thighs flexed at a right angle, and the knees barely suspended above the floor or bed on which the patient is lying. The headrest 39 is adjusted so that the patient can be made very comfortable again with the back in the acute flexed position so as to relieve nerve root pressure and pain or pain due to tender soft tissue. In this position various forms of treatment may be administered such as, local injections of various types of medications, local heat in its various forms, and particularly home treatments of heat with hot applications such as by electric pads.

In position three (FIGURE 5), the patient lies flat on his back in the supine position. The legs are raised so that the hips are flexed at a right angle, the knees are at a right angle, and the lower legs rest on the cushion A, which has been adjusted so that the buttocks just barely clear the floor or bed on which the patient is lying. Usually the bed is used as it is most comfortable, and treatments can be taken early in the morning or in the evening before retiring. With proper adjustments the lower part of the patients pelvis rests gently on the padded bar and with a rocking motion the pelvis can be elevated to the optimum position for flexing and straightening out the low lumbar spine. This position alone is sufiicient to give relief. When the patient is in this position vibrations from the machine are most soothing and helpful in relieving pain. Most patients describe this position as a very pleasant experience.

Most conditions of low back pathology are due fundamentally to increased lordosis (sway back). At birth, a babys spine is either completely straight or in a slight gentle rounded forward curve from the upper cervical spine to the bottom of the pelvis (tip of the coccyx). This is due to the fact that there is a slight forward curve of the chest (thorax) portion of the spine and, also, the pelvic portion of the spine. In early childhood the spine remains more or less entirely straight. In adolescence and young adult life the secondary backward curves become more prominent to compensate for the above mentioned fixed curves of the spine. During this period of life there are very few back complaints, and very little back trouble if the posture is well preserved.

As maturity advances and older age develops, man frequently becomes more careless about his posture. He gains in weight and develops a large prominent abdomen that drags on his back and aids in the development of an increasing lordosis of the lumbar spine (sway back deformity). There are many other reasons for the development of sway back, such as anomalies, contractures from tght muscles, tendons, etc., general mental or physical debility, over work, under nourishment, muscle paralysis or imbalance, etc. The posterior back muscles are usually over developed from lifting, stooping and doing the usual types of work. These are the muscles that pull the body backwards as does the bowstring of a how. This is particularly true if the abdominal muscles have been allowed to become weakened either through lack of exercise, overweight, pregnancy, abdominal operations or many other causes. Once the condition becomes progressively worse, unless definite steps are taken to improve the posture and strengthen, by exercise, the muscles that are necessary to hold the spine straight and prevent the excessive lordotic position (sway back) that causes so much trouble. The abdominal, gluteal and hamstring muscles are the principal muscles that need to be strengthened to improve posture and relieve lumbar lordosis.

With the patient lying in bed or on the floor with the legs elevated and resting on the vibrator, these exercises can be taken in a most satisfactory manner. In fact, in this position a full system of forced flexion and postural developing exercises can be taken, not only to correct the alignment of the spine, but to increase the tone and strength of practically every muscle in the body. It is this system of continuing exercises that is so desirable in maintaining proper posture and giving permanent relief of pain after the pain has been initially relieved by rest and use of the machine in a relaxed position.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable vibrator including an inclined substantially square upholstered element having vibrator means carried thereby, a first pair of elongated tubular vertical members, one of said first pair being fixed to the upholstered element adjacent each of the front corners of the upholstered element, a second pair of elongated tubular vertical members shorter than said first pair, one of said second pair being fixed to the upholstered element adjacent each of the back corners of the upholstered element, a pair of substantially U-shaped tubular members each bridging one of the first pair of members with the second member adjacent thereto, each of the legs of said U- shaped members being telescopically mounted with respect to the adjacent vertical member, the bight of each U- shaped member being substantially flat, and an inclined rearwardly extending U-shaped member carried by the upholstered element, the legs of said rearwardly extending member being telescopically carried by the upholstered element.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 including, a support on the upholstered element and extending rewardly therefrom in the plane of the upholstered element and carried between the lower portion of legs of the U- shaped members adjacent the first pair of legs.

3. A portable vibrator including, a substantially square inclined upholstered element having, upper and lower spaced superposed rigid platform members, a plurality of spaced butters constructed of a hard resilient material carried between the platform members, a vibrator motor depending from an intermediate portion of the upper platform member, the lower platform members having an opening therein accommodating the motor, the motor projecting below the lower platform, a first pair of elongated tubular vertical members, one of said first pair being fixed to the lower platform adjacent each of the front corners of the lower platform, a second pair of elongated tubular vertical members shorter than said first pair, one of said second pair being fixed to the lower platform adjacent each of the back corners of the lower platform, a pair of substantially U-shaped tubular members each bridging one of the first pair of members with the second member adjacent thereto, each of the legs of said U-shaped members being telescopically mounted with respect to the adjacent vertical member, the bight of each U-shaped member being substantially fiat, and an inclined rearwardly extending U-shaped member carried by 15 the upholstered element, the legs of said rearwardly extending member being telescopically carried by the upholstered element.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 186,932 12/59 Ritter 128-33 X 2,683,453 7/54 Tong 12833 2,694,394 11/54 Miller 128-33 2,827,894 3/58 Meyers 128-25 3,042,025 7/62 Jackson 128-33 3,052,235 9/62 Stewart 128-33 RICHARD A. GAUDETT, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PORTABLE VIBRATOR INCLUDING AN INCLINED SUBSTANTIALLY SQUARE UPHOLSTERED ELEMENT HAVING VIBRATOR MEANS CARRIED THEREBY, A FIRST PAIR OF ELONGATED TUBULAR VERTICAL MEMBERS, ONE OF SAID FIRST PAIR BEING FIXED TO THE UPHOLSTERED ELEMENT ADJACENT EACH OF THE FRONT CORNERS OF THE UPHOLSTERED ELEMENT, A SECOND PAIR OF ELONGATED TUBULAR VERTICAL MEMBERS SHORTER THAN SAID FIRST PAIR, ONE OF SAID SECOND PAIR BEING FIXED TO THE UPHOLSTERED ELEMENT ADJACCENT EACH OF THE BACK CORNERS OF THE UPHOLSTERED ELEMENT, A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED TUBULAR MEMBERS EACH BRIDING ONE OF THE FIRST PAIR OF MEMBERS WITH THE SECOND MEMBER ADJACENT THERETO, EACH OF THE LEGS OF USHAPED MEMBERS BEING TELESCOPICALLY MOUNTED WITH RESPECT TO THE ADJACENT VERTICAL MEMBER, THE BIGHT OF EACH USHAPED MEMBER BEING SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT, AND AN INCLINED REARWARDLY EXTENDING U-SHAPED MEMBER CARRIED BY THE UPHOLSTERED ELEMENT, THE LEGS OF SAID REARWARDLY EXTENDING MEMBER BEING TELESCOPICALLY CARRIED BY THE UPHOLSTERED ELEMENT. 